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Abstract

This paper will concentrate on the use of conditionality mechanisms in the European organizations mentioned and their role in influencing Latvian public policy. In order to fulfil this task this paper will need to address several questions. First, what are the theoretical perspectives on international organizations and political conditionality within the Latvian context? The paper pays special attention to the agency-structure debate in international relations literature specifically related to international organizations and their constituent member states. Second, on what basis were the OSCE, EU and CoE able to affect domestic policy? In other words, what are the mechanisms of conditionality? The paper will pay special attention to the European integration project carried out by successive Latvian governments. In addition, the paper will focus on the importance of EU membership and Latvia's relationship with all three organizations. Third, how did these organisations affect Latvian public policy oriented towards controlling the relationship between minority communities and the state? Special attention is given to the OSCE's High Commissioner on National Minorities, the European Commission and the CoE's Parliamentary Assembly. Before we answer these questions, let us first turn to a discussion of international organisations and conditionality.